Life & Work with Michael Blank of Studio City

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Blank.

Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When The Fifth Element hit theaters in 1997 I went to see it and it blew my mind. Ever since, I became obsessed with the power of cinema. I studied movie making and started filming anything I could so I could gain the technical skills: things like skate videos, different band performances, and silly mockumentaries that made my friends laugh. On the photography side I started to shoot with modeling agencies so I can build a portfolio with professional talents. Brands like Calvin Klein, Burberry, and magazines like Vogue discovered me as they saw my shots in the portfolios of the models they were casting. I began getting hired to shoot professional fashion jobs, which turned into directing video promos and commercials to accompany the photography. I realized early on that I can take a traditional route and become part of an ever-expanding pool of interchangeable cinema directors, or I can build a unique brand for myself as a specialist visionary through my work in the fashion industry. In a world where technology has made film making more and more accessible, it became extremely important to stand out as an artist with a unique and undeniable aesthetic.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As our ability to produce media has become easier, we have become flooded with more options for entertainment than we can even watch in our lifetime. We’ve become over saturated and desensitized! The entire entertainment industry from production to consumption has radically changed as a result, and will continue to do so. Navigating this rapidly changing landscape has been the most difficult part.

It seems that we will all have to ability to use Ai to type in whatever we want to see, and have no need for an entertainment industry as it once existed. However, I can see how creativity will still be highly valued. The excessively expensive equipment like cameras on helicopters, building sets, or traveling to exotic locations will all be completely unnecessary with Ai, but whoever creates the most mesmerizing concepts and tells the story in ways that resonate with humanity will become the new leaders in the field. I can also see how people will crave authenticity as we enter this artificial world, so both markets will probably exist simultaneously. I also can see how people with the knowledge of true film making will have the advantage in creating Ai versions because they will know specific details to type into the prompts that non-traditional filmmakers would not necessarily know about: Specific lenses and lighting, aesthetic styles etc.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my photography and cinema I’ve been very drawn to moody lighting, deep contrasts, glares, and reflections. I’ve always been in love with great backlighting that frames a subject while certain details are distorted by shadows and the glare of light in your eyes (camera lens). I like to capture the time of day where the sun is lower in the sky, the light is softer and more evenly spread, everything is sparkling and dream-like. If I’m using artificial light, I enjoy the intensity of a bright spotlight from behind a subject. I feel it represents the dichotomy of life like a yin-yang, the contrast between the light and the darkness, yet there is a little bit of each within the other:

When it comes to capturing authenticity in my art, I prefer to facilitate a real environment rather than trying to manufacture a fictional scene. For example: If I’m shooting a commercial for swim suits, I’d test the suits at a real beach and focus on the interaction with ocean water and sand and sun on the fabric. I’d showcase the reality of how it looks and feels in the actual lifestyle. I’d showcase the true feelings buyers will experience, rather than unrealistic photoshopped images and false promises. I am also a believer in the powers of nature and that we were designed to function harmoniously with it. So I tend to promote a holistic lifestyle in my work, focus on brands that promote clean and healthy living. Generally I love sunshine, beaches, colorful flowers, fresh fruits, and big green leaves… Fresh flowing water that glistens and hydrates the soul.

What does success mean to you?
Generally I define success as being authentic and always striving to bring out the best in yourself. Often people speak of their dreams and their personal convictions, but they identify all sorts of excuses for why they aren’t living them out. They say ” I’d be so good at xyz, but no one is giving me a chance.” Or they say ” I created the best commercial and made a ton of money, but it was for a company that is actually poisoning us.” To me, success comes with overcoming the obstacles so you can actually prove and demonstrate your greatness. If it’s true that you would be the best in a situation then you have to take the steps that actually bring you into that situation, and make sure you follow all the way through. You are not being truthful to yourself if you concede to the things preventing you, or if you concede to compromises that sacrifice your morals.

The expression “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity” has always proved true to me. You focus on building your skill sets, work ethic, and practical abilities so that you can fully execute the visions that you feel so strongly to express and share with the world. As creatives, our biggest responsibility is not in our ideas by themselves. Our responsibility is to fully bring them into reality, so our ideas can be shared with the rest of humanity. Any great idea will remain meaningless until it becomes a tangible product. That is the true success. It must become manifest. Otherwise your biography will read ” He/she could have accomplished things, but was never able to.” Maybe a book of intentions will be written in its place.

Art is a representation of the human spirit. The success comes from resonating with the rest of humanity. Your art becomes a time capsule of the human experience. It’s the truth and authenticity in our experience that transcends the test of time. So no excuses. Either become it and live it, or remain unfulfilled and spiritually starved. It’s great to have clarity in your convictions, but what actions can you take to actually make it happen?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://MichaelBlankPhotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelblankphotography
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelblankphotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelBlankPhotography